for another that is Mightier than he Seeing this is the stone they stumble at how easily might it be removed if they did consider him from first to last and in every respect he would appear to them so mighty as they would not look for another but know and acknowledge him to be their Prince and Saviour And indeed the works of Christ did declare him to be the Messiah John hearing of his works sent two of his Disciples and said unto him Art thou he that should come or do we look for another Christ sends an Answer to convince them and the Argument he useth is a Catalogue of his mighty works being such works as are proper to the Messiah viz The blind receive their sight and the lame walke the Lepers are cleansed and the deaf heare the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them Math. 11.2 3.4 5. With this Argument Christ proved himself sent of God in his speech to the Jews John 5.36 The works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me And by this the people were convinced John 6.14 Then these men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did said This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world Secondly To the TURKS who worship Mahomet and neglect Christ who is far mightier than he if the most mighty be to be acknowledged honoured and adored as Lord then Christ and not Mahomet is to be worshipped Thirdly As also to the idolatrous PAGANS and Heathens who worship and serve the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever as the Sun Moon Stars Birds Beasts creeping things the works of the hands of this mighty One Rom 1.25 2 Kings 17.16 Nay images of Silver Gold Wood and Stone the work of mens hands what are these vanities to this mighty One that they should be worshipped and he neglected Psalâ— 115.3 4 5 9. Vse 3. Of REPROOF especially First To all Vsurpers of the power and authority of this Mighty One such as make so bold with this mighty One as to step up into his Throne and to exercise that power which is proper to him onely as to take upon them to give pardon of sin unto men to make Laws to bind the consciences of men in the worship of God contrary to the Laws of this mighty One c. Mic 6.16 Isa 33.39 As it is the honour of the Kings and Princes of the Earth to be Christs Ministers to encourage the executing of the Laws which he hath made and established as of Cyrus Ezra 1.1 2. of Darius Dan. 6.1 7. 12. and Artaxerxes Ezra 7.23 So it is a great indignity and affront to this mighty One for his professed servants to disanul alter or change their Lords Laws and of their own heads to form constitute and impose other in their stead upon his Subjects as King Jeroboam did 1 Kings 11.28 34. King Iâ—â—ri and Ahab Mic 6.16 This is not to be Stewards ministring in his Name but to be Lords sitting upon his Throne and to make void the Power and Authority which he hath received of his Father as Mat. 15.2 6. 9. Luke 19.27 As this is an evill to which the mighty ones of the earth are most inclined so it will by this Mighty One be least endured for though he advance some to honourable services under him yet he will permit none to wear his Crown and as for those that have assumed his Power and Authority let them know assuredly that he will recover it out of their hands in due time forasmuch as he is mighty to do â— Psal 12.5 Secondly To all Resisters of his power Christ is undoubtedly the Highest Power ordained of God to whom every soul ought to be subject Whosoever therefore resisteth this power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation Rom 13.1 2. Besides all Opposition against this Mighty One is in vain and to no purpose for the creatures power proves weaknesse when exercised against him seeing he can do with the strongest of his Adversaries as the Potter with his vessel according to the prophecy of him Psal 2.9 Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel He is mighty in strength who hath hardned himself against him and hath prospered Job 9.4 Yea which is more The Creatures striking against him is the breaking of its selfe For whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grinde him to powder Math. 21.44 In a word to fight against this Mighty One is to fight against God and do we provoke the Lord are we stronger than he 1 Cor. 10.22 Thirdly To all pretended Assisters of this Mighty One who are so bold as to take upon them of their own brain to make additions to him and to adde Coadjutâ—rs Helpers to this Mighty One thereby imputing weakness and insufficiency to him who is able of himself without the help of any other to accomplish all his undertakings This is the known fault of the Church of Rome who as Doctor Gouge hath observed in his Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews add to all the Offices of Christ as to his Kingly Office they add a Viceroy an Head as it he were not able to govern of himself To his Prophetical Office they add a Great Prophet who coyneth new Articles of Faiths and so to turn out those that Christ hath established in his Church To his Priestly Office they add other Priests to offer up as they say true real Propitiatory Sacrifices for thee quick and the dead To his Mediation and Intercession they add the Mediation and Intercession of Angels and Saints in Heaven To his Ordinances they add others as Orders Penance Extream Unction c. These Additions derogate from the mightiness honour and glory of Christ whereas there is no need of these Christ being sufficient without these That known Phylosophycal Axiome is also true in Divinity Frustra fit per plura quod fiat per pauciora It is in vain to do that by more which may be done by fewer And the Apostle Paul dehorts the Saints at Coloss from all other things but Christ upon the account of his fullness and sufficiency for them Col 2.8 9 10. Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ For in him dwelleth all the FVLNESSE of the Godhead bodily and ye are COMPLEAT in him who is the Head of all Principallity and Power I have read that when Augustus Caesar desired the Senate to joyn two Consuls with him for the carrying on the Government of the State the Senators answered That they held it a diminution to his Dignity to joyn any with so incomparable a man To pretend to assist Christ in the work which
the world to come under him so much is hinted Heb. 2.5 8. For unto the Angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come that is Honour peculiar to his Son under whose feet he hath put all things in subjection though now we see not yet all things put under him so much is expressed Eph. 1.20 God hath set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places farre above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come Secondly He is Mighty in rule and Authority in regard of the Measure of it he hath not onely power over all but he hath all power over all Math. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth he hath an Absolute dispose of all things he doth whatsoever he will in the Church in Heaven in Earth in Hell God hath set him up over all and left all things to him Joh. 5.22 The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all Judgement to the Son so that he hath power to set up and pull downe to save and to destroy what and whom he will Thus it appeareth that Christ Jesus is a Mighty one in every sense and acceptation of the word Christ may be Considered First In respect of his Eternall Essence and being as he was one with the Father before the Foundation of the world was laid and so considered he is a Mighty One the onely Mighty One from everlasting the true God blessed for ever the Apostle speaking of him with reference to his eternall essence saith Phil. 2.6 Being in the Forme of God thought it not Robbery to be equall with God thus he is the Mightiest Highest God Secondly In respect of his Mediatourship as he took upon him to come between God and man to transact all matters between them and thus considered he is a Mighty One Foure things especially about his Mediatourship in Generall speak forth the Mightiness of Christ. First The singularity and oneness of the person Mediating not Many not a Few not two but One Mediator between God and man the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 There was none with him in his difficult worke of Mediatorship but he carried it on alone there was none with him to helpe him therefore his own Arme brought salvation both unto him and us which speaks him to be a Mighty One Moses was a Mighty one in that he stood and that alone between the Lord and the Children of Israel on the Mountaine and yet but a shaddow of this One great Mediator Christ Jesus Secondly The Greatness of the persons between whom he doth Mediate he is usually a Mighty One that is Mediator between either Mighty Persons or Nations even the greatest mightiest and most excellent One they can finde then how Mighty must he be that is Mediator between the Almighty Highest God and Man the chiefe of the Creatures Thirdly The weightinesse of the Matter it being of greatest concernment no less than the bringing of souls which were afar off unto God 1 Pet. 3.18 the making sinners righteous yea righteousness 2 Cor. 5.21 the reconciling all things in heaven and earth unto God Col. 1.20 the turning away Gods wrath from sinners the destroying of the enmity that is in their minds against him and so the salvation of them that are lost Fourthly The exact performance and accomplishment of the whole business According to what was prophecied of him Dan. 9.24 He did make reconciliation for iniquity and brought in Everlasting Righteousnesse He did not begin do something and then faint and leave his work imperfect but he finished it and that to the Glory of his Father that sent him as himselfe testifieth in his prayer to his Father Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the Earth I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to do surely he is a Mighty One Demonstrations of the Mightinesse of Christ the Mediator First He is a Mighty One in his Originall and rise from whence he came himselfe told the Jews Joh. 8.23 That he was from above and not of this World and that he proceeded forth and came from God When John heard he was come and manifested himselfe by preaching and Baptizing magnified him upon this account Joh. 3.31 He that cometh from above is above all He that cometh from Heaven is above all And by this the Apostle doth distinguish him from and exalt him above the first Adam 1 Cor. 15.47 The first man is of the Earth Earthly the second man is the Lord from Heaven Secondly He is a Mighty One in the first promise of him the first hint and report of him is of a Mighty One a Conquerour of the Devill In that this blessed seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpents head according as it is written Gen. 3.15 I will put Enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy seed and her seed It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heele the first appearance and coming forth of Christ in the promise is as of a Mighty one prevailing against mans mightiest Enemy the Devill Thirdly He is a Mighty One in the Types of him First In the multitude of them every thing almost which was before him being a Type and shaddow of him as the Passeover Rock Mannah Brazen-Serpent 1 Cor. 5.7 Joh. 6.32 48 50. 1 Cor. 10.4 Joh. 3.14 15. The Priests Tabernacle Altar Sanctuary the Feasts Sacrifices and all the Ceremoniall rites Col. 2.16 17. Heb. 1. ad 11 verse Aarons Bells as one saith sounded Jesus Christ and him crucified surely he is some Mighty one indeed that the Lord did fore-signifie by so many things Secondly In the Mightiness of them I meane the personall Types of him who were not meane but mighty ones As Adam whom God made so mighty giving him Lordship over the Creatures was a type of him that then was to come Rom. 5.14 Melchisedec that great and mighty one of whose greatness the Apostle exhorts the Hebrews to consider Heb. 7.4 Now consider how great this man was unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils was a Type of Christ Moses Josuah David those Great and eminent Saviours and Deliverers of the Children of Israel were but types and shaddows of that Great and mighty Saviour and Deliverer of his people Jesus Christ And if the shaddows be thus Mighty the body and substance must be very Mighty Fourthly He is a Mighty One in the Prophecies of him I shall not lay any weight upon the predictions of him to the Gentiles by the famous Sybils to whom much is attributed by some who are said to Prophecy of him as of a Mighty One an universall King that should be Lord over Romanes and all others Nor yet upon Diabolicall Oracles mentioned in History as the Answer of Apollo from Delphos to Augustus Caesar the Emperour demanding of him who should reigne after him after
blood as a mighty Advocate he plead for them in a way of Justice And upon this the servants of God may and do bear themselves in case of sin according to that heart-unholding word 1 John 2.1 My little chilâ—â—â—n these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Upon this did that good woman that we read of in History bear her self who being charged and accused and much put to it by the Devil said Though I cannot answer thee my Advocate can meaning Christ And the Apostle did apprehend so much of the mightinesse of Christ in his performance of this part of his Priestly work as that he layes the stress of his peoples eternal salvation upon it Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Thirdly To offer up the gifts and services of the people Heb 5.1 8.3 And this Christ doth also and that powerfully and effectually for he doth not take the prayers praises and spiritual services of his people and barely offer them up to the Lord but by and through him presenting them they are acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 His very presenting the persons and performances of his people unworthy and imperfect in themselves is sufficient to make them acceptable to God and therefore he is mighty in that part also of the work 〈◊〉 a Priest Fouâ—â—â—ly To blesse the people Numb 6.23 24 25. This also Christ doth and in this he is mighâ—ier than all other Priests which were before him which is evident in that First He blesseth more than they they blessed but a few in comparison of those he blesse they but the Nation of the Jews at the most they but one Nation he all the Nations of the world both the Jews and the Gentiles also according to the promise of God of old to Abraham so often repeated That all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed in him And for this end did God send him according to the words of Peter to the Jewes Acts 3.25.26 Ye are the children of the Prophets and of the Covenant which God made wite our Fathers saying unto Abraham and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from your iniquities And Paul tells the Galatians That Christ hath redeemed them from the curse of the Law being made a curse for them that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ Gal. 3.13 14. Secondly He blesseth with more and more choice blessings than any other Priest he blesseth not onely with bodily but with spiritual and with all spirituall blessings with blessings for this life and all estates and conditions therein and with blessings for the life to come Thirdly He blesseth more eminently than they he doth not only wish blessed but make blessed he doth not only pray for a blessing for his people but he doth authoritatively pronounce them blessed Seventhly In the unchangeableness and everlastingness of his Office when the Lord made him a Priest it was for ever The Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec And by this also doth the Apostle exalt Christ above all other Priests Heb 7.22 23 24. They truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood wherefore he is able to save c. Thirdly Christ is a mighty Prophet this plainly appears by the words of the Disciples to himself inquiring about the things which came to passe in those dayes Luâ—e 24.19 which they said to be concerning Jesus of Nazareth which was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people His mightiness in this respect is manifest First In his Original for though all other true Prophets be of Gods raising up and sending yet he more especially it is peculiarly prophecyed of him Deut. 18.15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee He is a Prophet of Gods special sending he sent him in a more eminent way than he did others he sent him immediately from himselfe Nicodemus exalting him above others saith John 3.2 We know thou art a teacher come from God He came from God otherwise than other Prophets did it is said of him alone That he came out from God even from the bosome of the Father where he was Secondly In his Qualification he came out from God and he came throughly furnished for the discharge of this Office even with the whole mind of God and with a sufficiency of power to make it known the Lord speaking of him saith Isa 42.1 Behold my servant c. I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles and himself saith Isa 61.1 2. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me he hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives c. He was full of the Spirit and of power by the Spirit of the Lord. Thirdly In his Commission and his Commission is answerable to his Qualification God gave him largely of his Spirit and he gave him a large Commission abundance of teaching-power and abundance of teaching-work See both his Qualification and his Commission Isa 42.1.6 7. I have put my Spirit upon him I will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a Light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring out the Prisoners from the Prison and them that sit in darknesse out of the prison-house As also Isa 49.6 He is not only Gods servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel but saith God I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth He is the great Prophet he hath the grand Commission the whole work of teaching and saving souls is committed unto him alone and he hath undertook it he is the Lord of the Harvest and all other faithfull Teachers they are but his servants and labourers he is the chief Shepherd all others are inferiour to him being appointed by him to feed the Flock of God in a word the Father sent him and gave him all power both in Heaven and Earth and he sendeth others even all that are sent Mat 28.18 19 20. Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father c. Fourthly In his Execution and exercise of this Office
for the mighty such as are able to revenge all wrongs done unto them Posse et nolle nobile The Mighty Ones of the world are usually hasty soon angry and presently set upon those that offend them but it is the glory and excellency of Christ that he is great in power and yet slow to anger and bears long with sinners and enemies he doth at this very day with much long-suffering endure the manifold indignities contradictions and rebellions of sinners against himself in which respect he excels other Mighty Ones Sixthly He is Mighty and Allmighty He is Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending The Lord which is and which was and which is to come The Allmighty Revel 1.8 Other Mighty Ones can do great things but he can do all things others are potent but he is the Lord God Omnipotent Rev 19.6 and so higher and greater than they Seventhly He is mighty and alwayes mighty Other Mighty Ones they faint and their strength faile them Isa 40.30 they grow weary and weak and cease to be Mighty at least so mighty as they have been I cannot do as I have done is the voice of other Mighty Ones but Christ the Lord the Mighty One fainteth not neither is weary his strength faileth not he is as mighty as he was when God first put his Spirit upon him as his strength was then so it is now and so it ever shall be He is the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb 13.8 His Mediatorship was as powerfull before as after his exhibition in the flesh in which respect he is said to be a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev 13.8 and will be hereafter even at the very last end of all things as effectual as it is now or hath been heretofore Eighthly He is mighty and the onely Mighty One he is mighty and none besides him the Father alwayes excepted who hath put all things under him power is Christs peculiar he is Plenepotentiarius the Proprietary of power and the Distributer of it others who are called mighty are not so compared with him for He is the one Lord over all Zech 14.9 and they his Subjects who must bow down before him either freely or unwillingly and therefore he is called by the Apostle 1 Tim 6.15 The blessed and onely Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 9. He is the Mighty One that is truly that and doth that which other Mighty Ones are said to be and are not and do not that which is falsely ascribed to others is truly attributed to him for though the worlds mighty ones are accounted mightier than indeed they are this Mighty One cannot be esteemed mightier than indeed he is History tell us that Canutus King of England being flattered by his Subjects and called King of Kings Most mighty c. went and sate down by the Sea-side commanded the floods arising and coming nigh him nor to touch him nor his cloaths but the floods came and made him start back and he said to his Lords Lo ye call me such a mighty King yet I cannot cause this little water to stay at my command but it is ready to drown me but Christ can do this The Sea and the winds obey him and whatsoever any of the mighty ones of the earth undertake to do and cannot accomplish He is not onely called Mighty but he is mighty and acts mightily He is without any flattery or Hyperbole Most High most Mighty most Sacred most Excellent yea He is Excellency Highness Holiness Mightiness and Majesty it selfe Thus Christ doth not onely appear to be mighty but to be mightier and more excellent than all others we have heard and read of many mighty famous Ones both in Sacred and Common writings as Nimrod Pharaoh Moses Joshua Gideon Sampson David Solomon * Alexander the Great Pompey the Great and others who have done great and mighty things but Christ excels them all and is greater than any than all of them indeed he is so mighty that he is above the understanding of men he is great in power and we know him not we cannot find him out great things doth he which we cannot comprehend Quest How came Christ to be such a Mighty One Answ If we consider him in his Eternal Essence and Being abstractively from his Humane Nature as he is one with the Father from Eternity so his mightinesse and dignity is of himself and not from any other but if we consider him as undertaking and carrying on the work of Mediatorship between God and man in the humane Nature which he assumed so he is said to be made Mighty The Apostle Peter speaking of him as such saith Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2.36 In which respect God is said to do what he did as appears by the words of Peter in the same speech to the men of Israel Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you Acts 2.22 And thus Christ becomes Mighty through the Father First Through the Fathers mission the Father sent him and that 's his strength and therefore he speaks much of it upon all occasions nigh forty times in John besides several other places he hints that the Father sent him and that he came not of himself but proceeded forth and came from God God cannot say of Christ as of those Prâ—phets mentioned Jer. 14.14 I sent them not neither have I commanded them and as they were weak and could not profit the people being not sent of God Christ being sent of God becomes mighty to accomplish whatever he undertook Had not God sent him he could not have spake with such Power and Authority could not have done such wonderful works nor have undergone and suffered such grievous torments as he did but being sent of the Father and knowing that the Father sent him he was full of might courage and confidence to do and suffer what was the Will of his Father that sent him Gods mission makes mighty it was that which enabled Gideon to be a Saviour to Israel Judges 6.14 The Lord looked upon him and said Go in this thy might and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites have not I sent thee He that is sent with full Authority and Power from some mighty Prince to transact his affairs is thereby mighty coming and acting as one sent by him Christ came and acted as one sent from the absolute Monarch of all the world the most high â—od of Heaven and Earth and he having given all power and authority into his hands he is exceeding mighty to perform the will of him that sent him Secondly Through the Fathers Unction he was full of power and might by the Spirit of the Lord the Anointing of the Lord makes mighty It was that which
made David Solomon Cyrus and others mighty to do the worke of God in their severall generations and it is that which makes Christ so Mighty for being anointed with the holy Spirit above others he became mightier than all others The Lord anointed him King in which respect he is in a peculiar manner called Gods Anointed Psal 2.2 and thence it is that he is so mighty to rule both able to save and to destroy The Lord anointed him to preach good tidings unto the meeke and sent him to binde up the broken-hearted Isa 61.1 with Luke 4.18 and thence it was that his words were with such power and efficacy And the Lord anointed him Priest and so he was Mighty to offer up himselfe without spot to God and his blood also Mighty and effectuall to purge the Conscience from dead workes according to the words of the Apostle Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the Eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead workes to serve the living God And Peter in his Sermon Act. 10.38 gives this very account of Christs might and mighty workes viz. That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him And himselfe saith Joh. 8.29 He that sent me is with me the Father hath not left me alone And thus through the Spirit of the Lord resting upon him even the Spirit of might according to what was prophesied of him Isa 11.2 he is Mighty Reasons why Christ is a Mighty One Reas 1. For the Fathers Glory that the Father might be glorified in the Son for as it had been a disparagement and dishonour unto God to have sent a weake insufficient one so it is the Fathers glory that he hath sent a Mighty One one like unto himselfe able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him Heb. 7.25 It is the Fathers glory to have such a Son so Mighty a one and that not onely because he himselfe did glorifie him on earth but because others also did glorifie him because of his Son for when the people even the multitude saw the mighty works and miracles which he did they marvelled and glorified God Math. 9.8 Math. 15.31 Mark 2.12 Luke 5.26 Reas 2. For the Sons glory that Christ might be honoured as well as the Father Christ himselfe gives this reason why the Father made him such a Mighty One Joh. 5.22 23. The Father Judgeth no man but hath committed all Judgement unto the Son That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father and by this the Father drawes the thoughts and hearts of men to the Son so as they receive and entertaine him as the Redeemer of the world For Christ being a Mighty one and sufficiently manifesting and evidencing himselfe to be The Christ the Son of the Blessed by doing the Works which none other man did neither could do many beleeved on him and became followers and honourers of him Reas 3. Because of the worke which God hath sent him to do which was hard worke beyond the skil and strength of men and Angels to performe for it was to redeeme a weake captivated cursed people from the power of Sin World Death and Devil those mighty Adversaries and to raise them up unto a participation of his holiness and glory It is Requisite there should be a proportion of strength in every Agent to the work which he hath to do that if the worke be difficult the Agent should be strong And it hath been the usuall way of the most wise God to suite persons to things who though he hath and doth sometimes make use of weak ones for Great and weighty and difficult services yet doth alwayes make them mighty and sufficient for the work whereunto he calls them he did so with Gideon David and others And thus it was and is with Christ for being sent to save he was and is therefore mighty to save being sent to redeeme he is a strong Redeemer that he may thoughly plead his peoples Cause and disquiet and confound all their enemies The Spirit of God in the Prophets speaking of the great work of Christ in the execution of his Regal and Prophetical Offices makes mention of his mightiness and ability thereunto Isa 42.1 4. Behold my servant whom I uphold I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgement to the Gentiles He shall not faile nor be discouraged till he hath set Judgement in the Earth Micah speaking of him as the Ruler in Israel saith He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord his God and they shall abide for now he shall be great unto the ends of the Earth Mic. 5.4 The Apostle also treating of his Priestly Office saith That he through the Eternal Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God Heb. 9.14 Quest Whence is it that men despise and oppose this Mighty One Ans 1. It is through that Enmity which is in their hearts against him God hath according to his word Gen. 3.15 put Enmity between the Serpent and the Woman and their seed and from this Enmity as from a cursed root proceeds that evil fruit of opposition against Christ which will not cease till the Enmity be abolished This very account doth Christ himselfe give of his enemies opposition against him in one of his parables Luke 19.14 His Citizens hated him and sent a Message after him saying we will not have this man to reigne over us Secondly It is through the ignorance that is in them not knowing him whom they persecute It was so with Paul when Christ spake to him saying Saul Saul why persecutest thou me He said who art thou Lord and the Lord said I am Jesus he knew not Christ Act. 9.4 5. And thence it is that he saith speaking of his being a persecuter and injurious I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbeliefe 1 Tim. 1.13 From hence it was even from their ignorance that the Princes of this World did so oppose and persecute him in his Person they knew not the wisdome of God for had they knowne it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2.7 8. And himselfe gives the same reason of his suffering and persecution in his Members Joh. 16.2 3. He saith to his Disciples They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will thinke he doth God service and these things will they do unto you because they have not knowne the Father nor me Thirdly Through unbeliefe for though they heare of his Mightiness and power yet they do not beleeve the report thereof though not one halfe of the greatness and power of Christ have been told them but the words of them that declare it seeme to them
persecution famine nakedness peril sword but in all these things they are more than Conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8 33 34 35 37. And of this priviledge of the Lords people the Prophets have spoken eminently to be enjoyed in the Reigne of this Mighty One. David Psal 72.7 saith In his dayes shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moone endureth Isaiah saith Behold a King shall reigne in righteousnesse and Princes shall rule in Judgement and a man shall be an hiding place from the winde and a covert from the Tempest c. Isa 32.1 2. Jeremy saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reigne and prosper In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The LORD our Righteousnesse Jer. 23.5 6. And to this agreeth also the Prophesie of Ezekiel which saith I will make with them a Covenant of peace and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the Land and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleepe in the woods They shall be safe in their Land and shall know that I am the Lord when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them out of the hands of those that served themselves of them and they shall no more be a prey to the Heathen neither shall the beasts of the Land devoure them but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid Ezek 34.25 27 28. Thirdly It shewes us the aggravation of the evâ—l of unbeliefe were Christ a meane weak one there might be some plea for unbeliefe the unbeleever might excuse himselfe saying I was afraid to trust him I durst not commit my soule body name estate and concernments into his hand but when a soul refuseth to beleeve on him who is declared and manifested as well by work as word to be so mâ—â—hty in every respect it is inexcusable The men of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonas and the Queene of the South who came from the uttermost parts of the Earth to heare the wisdome of Solomon shall rise up in the Judgement with such and condemne them seeing a Greater than Jonah and Solomon is with them The Evangelist John mentioneth the wonderfull workes which Christ did among the Jewes as the Aggravation of their unbeliefe Joh. 12.37 Though he had done so many miracles before them yet they beleeved not on him Thence Christ is said to Vpbraid the Cities wherein most of his mighty workes were done because they repented not it being a greater evil in them not to repent than in others amongst whom Christ did not shew himselfe so mighty To heare and not to beleeve on Christ the Mighty Lord who speakes from heaven is that which makes unbeliefe to be such a mighty sinne Heb. 12.25 Fourthly It discovers a ground for the Saints Expectation of great things The Saints are in expectation of perfect Redemption and most glorious salvation to be wrought for them by Christ and there is good ground for it for besides the promise of God who is faithfull here is the Ability of Christ who is Mighty to performe the Fathers will Great ones use to be active The Mighty Kings and Princes of the Earth do not alwayes sit still only waite for opportunities for great and weighty undertakings This Mighty One the Lord Christ though he hath done great and marvellous things will shew himselfe yet more glorious than ever for he hath yet but begun to shew his servants his Greatness and his Mighty hand onely he waites till the set time be come and then he will arise and redeeme Israel from all his iniquities and troubles Psal 130.8 The Disciples of Christ who saw his might and power in the dayes of his flesh became expectants of great things to be done by him We trusted said the two Disciples speaking of Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet mighty in deed and word that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel Luke 24.19.21 The Apostles when Christ was assembled together with them asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore againe the kingdome to Israel Acts 1.4 6. His Answer was no check to their expectation but a reprehension of their over-curious affectation to acquaint themselves with the particular time in which they should behold the glorious accomplishment of so certaine a blessing And seeing this Mighty One is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb 8.1 his servants may expect that he will appeare in the presence of God for them yea that he shall appeare the second time without sin unto their evident and everlasting salvation Heb 9.28 Paul speaking of himselfe and other faithfull followers of Christ saith Phil. 3.20 21. Our conversation is in heaven from whence also we looke for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himselfe Fifthly For the discovery of false Christs The true Lord Christ hath told us that in the last dayes there shall arise false Christs as well as false Prophets Math. 24.24 And this doctrine doth informe us how to know them from the true The true Christ is thus mighty and it follows that others who are not so mighty whatsoever they may pretend are not the true Christ Therefore when false Christs shall arise and shall come and say I am Christ beleeve them not neither go after them but labour to know their power and not their speech onely 1 Cor. 4.19 for the kingdome of God is not in word but in power vers 20 whether they be mighty as the true Christ is And though they should shew signes and wonders to deceive you try whether they be equall with this Mighty One who thought it no robbery to be equall with God For though some may boast themselves and their mouths speak great swelling words of vanity yet their deficiency and insufficiency for such things as he did speak them to be false Christs and deceivers As there never did heretofore so there never will any one arise in every respect so mighty as Christ by which he may be knowne to be the true Christ from all others Vse 2. Of conviction to false worshippers who neglect and slight this Mighty One. First To the Jews who do not beleeve that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ the Messiah that was promised and the main plea which they have for their unbelief is because he did not appear to be so mighty as become the Saviour of the world he came not in worldly glory he had no stately Palace was not cloathed in Purple did not fare deliciously he was not in form and fashion like the mighty ones of the earth and therefore they expect and look
feare thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertaine Jer. 10.5 6 7. And this is the summe of the triumphant Song of them that get victory over the Beast Rev. 15.3 4. Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints who shall not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name Secondly Trust in him he is a sure foundation all the powers of Earth and Hell cannot move it He is a fit object for your faith seeing he is the LORD Mighty to save and to save to the uttermost out of the deepest dangers and troubles you can be brought into Heb 7.25 yea he hath redeemed the soules of his servants from deceit and violence heretofore and will for ever shew himselfe strong on the behalfe of those whose hearts are stay'd on him Psal 26.3 4. And therefore though ignorant worldlings slight and reject this Mighty One and place their confidence in Kings Princes Horses Chariots which do faile them often yet do you that know his great and glorious Name put your trust in him Psal 20.7 8. yea at what time you are afraid either of spirituall or temporall evils trust in him in whom is everlasting strength Psal 56.3 you shall finde him sufficient for you and faithfull to you He that beleeveth on him shall never be confounded 1 Pet. 2.6 Thirdly Prize him above all Prize him according to his excellent greatness This was Gods designe in making him mighty Joh. 5.22 23. Do you further it what in you lyeth by honouring the Son even as you honour the Father If the people prized David farre above themselves saying Thou art worth ten thousand of us 2 Sam. 18.3 how should we value Davids Lord our Lord who is the onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords above our selves and all things else 1 Tim 6.15 Fourthly Stand by him stand by his cause and interest all your dayes Worke and love righteousness evermore though you be persecuted for its sake yea though many should forsake him through the unbeliefe of their hearts as the Disciples did of old yet stand by him and his work of righteousness For he is Mighty to save you Isa 63.1 It was Shammah's commendation that he stood it out and defended the Field alone when all the people fled from the Philistines 2 Sam. 23.12 and the Lord wrought a great Victory Stand by this Mighty One though alone Though you that be faithfull be but few and weake and ingaged against mighty Adversarâ—â—s The Devil the World and the Flesh yet be bold and couragious and go on with confidence in your holy warre you March under the Banner of a Mighty One who is the Captaine of salvation Heb 2.10 who hath conquered mighty Enemies and will not rest till he hath destroyed every evil work worker 2 Tim. 4.16 18. Christ saith Luther hath destroyed many great Kings and laid them in the dust For my part I will hold with him and on his side rather than with the Turke with the Emperour and the whole universall world Let his Resolution be yours its rationall to be on the strongest side Fifthly Blesse God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who of his rich mercy and by his great power hath drawne you out of the world and separated you from your companions and brethren in iniquitie and brought you from under the Dominion of other Lords who were not able to save you to be under this great and Mighty One. Pauls heart was wonderfully taken with this grace as appeares by his words Col. 1.12 13. Giving thanks â—nto the Father c. Who hath delivered â—s from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdome of his deare Son Blesse God for this unspeakable grace Yea Blesse God for that great grace vouchsafed to thee that in thy unregenerate estate thou wert not confounded and destroyed for and in thy opposition against Christ for he is Mighty and could have done it Suppose a child should take a stick in its hand and go into the Lions den and there strike the Lion and the Lions whelpes the young Lions and continue beating them for some time with all its might and yet the Lion not teare this child nor meddle at all with it but the child returne without any hurt done to it what will this child say when it comes to mans estate It will be filled with amazement and astonishment when it shall be told what it did and how it escaped surely it will cry out with wonder what a mercy what a providence past finding out that I was not devoured I stroke the Lion which was wont to devoure others You that are Christs servants you have been the Enemies of Christ and his people you have as it were struck at the face of Christ by your opposition against him yea peradventure you have continued some time beating Christ and his servants provoking Christ the Lion of the Tribe of Judah against you and yet he did not teare you in pieces as he did others but you are escaped oh study what rich mercy and grace it is that such a bold rebellious wretch as you have been should be spared by this Mighty One Surely you cannot look back upon such delivering grace without wondring and being melted by it into love and submission to Christ who hath thus loved and saved you from perishing in and by your iniquities Sixthly Lastly If Christ be Mighty Labour to get much of Christ to be Christians indeed not by profession of the Name onely but by participation of the Spirit of Christ that so receiving the Anointing you may be Mighty also He was full of might by the Spirit of the Lord Isa 11.2 Let us seek to be mighty not by carnal might nor power nor sword but by the Spirit of the Lord. He was mighty in Faith let us be so a strong mighty faith in a mighty Christ is very sutable he was mighty in love to us let us be so to him let us love him with all the heart with all the soule with all our strength He was mighty in patience Let us get much of that grace also for we have need of patience that after we have done the will of God we may inherit the promise Heb 10.36 He was mighty in zeale let us be so even a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.14 Doctr 2. God hath appointed This Mighty One Christ to be an help to his people This Doctrine hath two Branches 1. That Christ is an help to his people 2. That God hath appointed him thereunto First That CHRIST IS AN HELP appeares First In the TYPES of him both REALL as chiefly the Passeover Mannah the Rock the Brazen Serpent which were types of Christ and for the good and help of the people 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Ch. 10.3 Joh. 2.14 and PERSONALL as a Moses b Josuah c Act. 2.29 20. 13.34 35. David
of any other which he is to examine and try and follow and refuse as it agreeth or disagreeth with this Besides there are no blots defects nor imperfections but contrariwise a wonderfull exactness plainness beauty and glory in the Example of Christ whereby it is of singular use and advantage to his followers their way being thereby made plaine before them Neither is it a scant but a full and large Example both of obedience For He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walke even as he walked 1 John 2.6 and the several parts thereof he hath given us an example of faith love patience self-denyall meekness diligence c. And of suffering also that he might help in that needfull time To encourage us to it he hath given us an example of readiness and willingness to suffer he willingly laid downe his life for his sheepe Joh. 10.15.18 and to guide us in it he hath given us an example of meekness and patieâ—ce for he was led as a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb dumb before the shearer so opened he not his mouth Acts 8.32 And when he was reviled reviled not againe when he suffered he threatned not 1 Pet. 2.23 And thus Christ is an Help by the excellency of his example Thirdly By the powerfulness of his Spirit The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of life and power which he giveth forth into the hearts of his servants for their help in their various services and conditions and therefore the Spirit is said to help their Infirmities Rom 8.26 Yea Christ doth so usually help by his Spirit that most acts of help are frequently attributed in Scripture to the Spirit as to Quicken uphold strengthen comfort teach lead beare witness bring to remembrance give utterance cause to do John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Psal 51.12 Eph. 3.16 John 14.16 John 14.26 Gal. 5.18 Rom. 8.16 Acts 2.4 Ezek. 36.27 By this did Christ eminently help his servants in the work whereunto he called them in the primitive times By this he enabled them to be his witnesses not onely in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria but unto the uttermost part of the earth Acts 1.8 By this they evercame the mightiest Adversaries of Truth For they were not able to resist the wisdome and spirit by which they spake Luke 21.15 Acts 6.10 And by this he helped them to do many wonderful things to the great advantage and furtherance of the Gospel Act. 11 19-21 By the same Spirit he hath helped others also in later Generations to testifie for him against Antichrist and his Adherents and by their Testimony exceedingly to prevaile as Wickliffe Hus Luther and others And this is that which Luther in an Epistle to some amongst whom his doctrine was successfull would have them to observe Consider saith he with what sword I have conquered sin and overcome Errours and subdued policy I have never touched you with a finger but with the Spirit of Christs mouth viz. the Sword of his Gospel And severall of the Martyrs â—hough meane and unlearned yet by the help of the Spirit of Christ have put to silence their learned Adversaries Among the rest History tells us of one Alice Driver that shee non-plust the Doctors that Examined her and then said God be honoured you be not able to resist the Spirit of God in a poore woman And as it was then even so it is now for Christ by the same Spirit helpeth his servants both to will and to do and to suffer of his good pleasure Phil 1.29 Phil. 2.13 Fourthly By the Admirableness of his RVLE and Administration For he so ordereth and disposeth of all things that they work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8.28 so that those things which men contrive and designe to be most hurtfull through his power and wisdome become helpfull to his servants yea he sometimes makes his Enemies intended Destruction his peoples glorious salvation And indeed the Rule and Reigne of Christ doth much consist in his helping and relieving his oppressed servants in his pleading their cause and executing judgement for them in his breaking the bands of their yoke and delivering them out of the hand of those that serve themselves of them that they may be no more a prey to the Heathen yea the maine designe of Christ next to his own Glory is the salvation and safety of his flock Jer. 23.5 6. Ezek. 37. And he doth many admirable things in order to this end as he maketh the weak to conquer and the mighty to be overthrowne he maketh the Counsel of the simple to stand and the devices of the crafty to be disappointed he doth that marvellous work and a wonder spoken of Isa 29.14 He causeth the wisdome of wise men to perish and the understanding of the prudent to be hid And he judgeth the poore of the people and saveth the children of the needy and breaketh in pieces the Oppressor Psal 72.4 Sometimes he sets enemies one against another The Mighty against the Mighty Ruler against Ruler Jer 46.12 Jer. 51.46 so that they fight Brother against Brother Neighbour against Neighbour City against City Kingdome against Kingdome and so help to destroy one another Isa 19.2 2 Chron 20.23 Sometimes he wonderfully restraines the rage of Enemies so that they do not hurt nor destroy in his holy Mountaine but the Wolfe dwelleth with the Lamb and the Leopard lies downe with the Kid and the Calfe and the young Lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them according to that famous prophesie of his Kingdome Isa 11.6 7 8 9. Sometimes he causeth them to favour his people Psal 106.46 and sometimes he maketh them helpfull and serviceable to them according to that precious promise of God to his Church Isa 60.10 The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls and their Kings shall minister unto thee Thus God turned the heart of the King of Persia that was now over Assyria unto his people to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God of the God of Israel Ezra 6.22 And put it also into the heart of Artaxerxes to help Ezra to beautifie the house of the Lord which was at Jerusalem Ezra 7.27 And thus Christ helpeth by the Admirableness of his RVLE and Administration Fifthly By the prevalency of his Intercession by this he helpeth them much who beleeve through grace Christ perfecteth by his Intercession that good worke of the salvation of his people which he begun by his Passion for though Christ help exceedingly by the vertue and efficacy of his death as hath been shewne yet there is need of his Intercession also and therefore he is entred into heaven to appeare in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24 And this is of such great benefit and advantage to the Saints that the Apostle layes the weight of their salvation upon it Rom 5.10 If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life and indeed it is now sufficient for salvation and therefore Christ is said to be able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb 7.25 And as the Intercession of Christ is of great use and help to a Christian in all cases so especially in these THREE CASES First In case of sin to that purpose are the words of John 1 Joh. 2.1 If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Secondly In case of Satans Temptations and designes against his servants so much may be gathered from the words of Christ Luke â—2 31 32. The Lord said Simon Simon behoâ—â— Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not Thirdly In case of sufferings It is through the help of Christ by his Intercession that the Elect are made Conquerours and more 〈◊〉 Conquerours in all their afflictions Faith felcheth its chiefe matter of Triumph over Tribulation distresse persecution famine nakedness peril sword c. from the Intercession of Christ Rom 8.34 c. Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation c. And thus Christ helpes by the prevalency of his Intercession Branch 2. God hath Appointed Christ this Mighty One to be an help to his people God not man nor yet Christ He hath laid in Zion this usefull Corner Stone Isa 28.16 Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone a tried Stone a precious corner Stone a sure foundation God hath laid him and laid him for an help so that he that beleeveth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2.6 The Lord hath given him to be an help to the people so much the Lord saith by his Prophet Isa 42.6 7. I the LORD have called thee in Righteousnesse and will hold thy hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles To open the blind eyes to bring out the Prisoners from the Prison and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-house Yea he was fore-ordained before the Foundation of the world to be an help to Gods people though manifested in the last dayes for them 1 Pet. 1.21 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Reasons why God hath appointed Christ this Mighty One to be an help to his people Reas 1. Because the Lord saw there would be need of a Mighty One and that in severall regards as First The weakness of his people they being a feeble flock of a very little strength and the Lord loves to strengthen the weake hands Feare not thou Worme Jacob saith God I will help thee Isa 41.10 14. Chap. 35.3 Secondly The Difficulty of their worke It is not onely hard but impossible to flesh and blood to performe Every part of it is hard it is hard to beleeve hard to pray hard to deny a mans selfe hard to forsake father and mother wife children brethren and sisters houses and lands and a mans life too for Christs sake Luke 9.23 24. Luke 14.26 It is hard to keep the Commandements of God and the Faith of Jesus Rev 12.11 17. 14.12 And therefore God sent a Mighty One from heaven even his own Son to help his weak servants in all their difficult services Thirdly The Mightiness of their Adversaries who daily seek to hinder and trouble them in their work The Jewes that built the Temple at Jerusalem had mighty Adversaries who hindred them all that ever they could and the Lord put it into the hearts of Darius and Artaxerxes to help thâ—â— Ezra 6.1 7. Ezra 7.12 13. All the people of God may complaine with David That their persecutors are too strong for them neither do they wrestle onely against flesh and blood but against Principalities against powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Ephe 6.12 And therefore the Lord sees it needfull to send them a Saviour and a Great one and he shall help and deliver them Fourthly Also the promised exaltation and establishment of his people For God hath promised that in the last dayes the Mountaine of the Lords house shall be established in the Top of the Mountaines and shall be exalted above the hils and all Nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 Mic. 4.1 That Jerusalem shall be a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Isa 33.20 Yea the Lord hath said of Zion I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many Generations Isa 60.15 But as yet the people of God are low Zion sits in the dust and is afflicted and tossed with Tempest as yet she is a Reproach and a taunt and a by-word among the Nations so that great things are yet to be done before she be clothed with her promisâ—â— glory But seeing the Lord hath loved her and purposed and promised that she shall be exalted and established for ever therefore hath he laid help upon one that is Mighty to do it for her even Christ Reas 2. For the honour and exaltation of Christ That he who hath borne so much shame and endured such contradiction of sinners against himselfe might be seene and knowne to be the Help Deliverer and Saviour of his people And therefore the Father is said to exalt him in this respect Him hath God exalted with his Right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 And by this Christ shall have First The HONOVR of the Saints faith and confidence For in him they shall trust for help in their several conditions According to what was prophesied of him Isa 11.10 To him shall the Gentiles seek or in him shall the Gentiles trust as the Apostle explaines it Rom 15.12 It s honour to Christ that the Saints are looking to him for deliverance and salvation in their straits and Troubles Secondly The HONOVR of the Saints praises When they have found him to be their strength and help they will make him their Song and exalt him in their praises Isa 2.3 4. Their soules will be joyfull in him and rejoyce iâ—â—â—s salvation All their bones shall say LORD who is like unto thee which deliverest the poore from him that is too strong for him yea the poore and the needy from him that spoileth him All Christs saved and delivered ones will cry with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slaine and hath holpen us and Redeemed us to God by his blood out of every kindred
Christ did not many mighty works in his own Countrey because of their unbelief Math. 13.58 If thou dost not beleeve that he can and will help thou canst not expect he should help Secondly When they set about any work without his call The Lord hath been wont to help in those things he hath called his Servants to as might easily be made manifest in Moses Josuah Gideon David and others but when his People have run and he sent them not they have been without his help in such undertakings When the children of Israel would invade the Land of Canaan without Gods call they were smitten and discomfited Numb 14.44 45. And though Josiah was a good man yet going to fight against Pharaoh Necho contrary to the mind of God he dyed for it 2 Chron 35.20 21 22 23. They that act without Christs call are like to act without his help Thirdly When they undertake any work though never so good and excellent in at self in their own strength without engaging him to their help he helps them not as in the case of Peter it was a good work and much conducing to the honour of Christ which Peter undertook but trusting to his own strength Christ left him to miscarry in it John 13.37 38. Fourthly When the eyes of his people are upon some other besides him or when they joyn some other with him to help then he usually leaveth both him that helpeth and him that is holpen to fall together Isa 31.3 The Lord was Israels help when he was their God alone and none other with him Deut 32.12 The LORD alone did lead them and there was no strange God with him When the Spouse shall lean upon Christ her Beloved and upon other Lovers also then Christ withholdeth his help from her Fifthly When they have any sinister ends and aims in what they do for though the work be good yet if a mans end be bad Christ doth not usually further him in it as when a man in Preaching Praying or any part of Religion seeks not so much Christs honour as his own praise and profit he cannot expect neither doth he ordinarily receive such help from the Spirit of Christ therein They that seek not Christs things but their own shall not prosper Jer 10.21 Haggai 1.4 6 9. Sixthly When they refuse to be holpen by him Christs Servants are sometimes more especially in great dangers and straits and stand in need of his help and though Christ shew himself willing and ready to save and deliver them yet such is the folly and untowardnesse of their spirits that they will none of his help but rather chuse to suffer through walking in the wayes and imaginations of their own hearts than to be delivered in their hearkning to his counsel and submitting to his will and then no wonder Christ helps not this was the frame of spirit and sad condition of Jerusalem which Christ lamented over Jerusalem was in danger Christ would have holpen her but she would not Christ lets her alone and the issue is sad Matth. 23.37 38. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate Quest What shall Gods people do when Christ helps not First Seriously consider and lay it to heart as a matter of greatest concernment and trouble to us So did Joshua when the Lord withheld his help from Israel Joshua 7.6 8. Josuah rent his cloathes and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of the LORD untill the even-tide he and the Elders of Israel and put dust upon their heads and Joshua said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us would to God Hebr O that we had been content and dwelt on the other side Jordan Oh LORD what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies We should look upon it as that wherein both God and his People suffer God suffers in his name when he doth not help his people His and their enemies blaspheme his name Sometimes they cast dirt upon his power saying The Lord cannot help nor save sometimes upon his goodnesse and mercy The Lord will not help sometimes upon his Truth and Faithfulnesse The Lord hath forgotten his people Hence saith Joshua What wilt thou do for thy great name And his people they must needs suffer when he with-draws his hand they are endangered and trampled upon by their enemies and the suffering of Gods Name and the distresses of his Servants must not seem a light thing in our eyes Nehemiah's frame and carriage under such a dispensation is worthy of imitation When he heard that the Remnant that were left of the Captivity were in great affliction and reproach that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates thereof burnt with fire he sat down and wept and mourned certain dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven Neh 1.3 4. And this is that which Jerusalem lamented with much bitterness of spirit Lament 1.15 16. The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me he hath called an Assembly against me to crush my young men the Lord hath troden the Virgin the Daughter of Judah as a Wine-presse For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me It 's just matter of mourning and lamentation when the appointed helper and Saviour doth not help nor save Secondly They should diligently search out the cause and reason why Christ helps not For if the Lord cease to help his People there is some cause for such a dealing as there is for what evil soever the Lord bring upon them Ezek. 14.23 And when the Lord slacks his hand concerning the help of his Servants it s their present work and duty to look narrowly about them and in them to find out the cause thereof When the Lord denyed Israel his help against the men of Ai he told them the cause of it There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel and commanded and directed them to seek and they found it out Achan was taken and the Silver and the Garment and the wedge of Gold his Sons Daughters Asses Sheep Tent and all that he had and they stoned him and burned them with fire Joshua 7. This was part of Jobs work in his affliction to find out the cause of it and that he might know it he begs of God to shew him wherefore he contended with him Job 10.2 Thus did David also in his distresse Psa 22.1 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me why art thou so far from helping me And we find the Faithful in their
in the earth so that when a Mâ—ghty Spirit of Prayer goes forth to engage Christ to help he is not far from the help of his People Fourthly When they beleeve on him strongly when Gods servants have reacht out an hand of faith towards him he hath lifted up his hand to help them Abraham beleeved strongly and the Lord did help him greatly Jehoshaphat Asa David and others relyed on the Lord and were holpen in the time of their troubles the three servants of God mentioned Dan 3. were of great faith and Christ helped them so that the fire burnt them not neither could the flame kindle upâ—n them yea as many as ever came to Christ for help either for body or soul especially all such as were of great faith received it and surely when the People of God stagger not at the Promise of help but are strong in faith notwithstanding many difficulties and natural impossibilities before them the Performance thereof is at hand Rom. 4.20 Fifthly When they walk before him faâ—thfully nor doing their own nor others but his will When the Servants of God of old did walk in their integrity serving their Generations according to the will of God he helped them and made their wayes prosperous but when they did put forth their hands unto iniquity the LORD was not with them There is none can expect that God should meet them in a way of mercy and help but such as work righteousnesse and all such may Isa 64.5 they can confidently pray for help in time of need as David did Psal 119.173 Let thine hand help me for I have chosen thy precepts Christ promised and gave forth his help to his servants when they were working his work in the simplicity and sincerity of their souls see his promise Math. 28.19 20. Go ye teach all Nations baptâ—zing them in or unto the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world So also Luke 21.12 13 14 15. See likewise his performance of his good word to them in their Preaching Disputing Writing Gal 2.8 Acts 6.10 Acts 11.21 2 Cor. 10.10 And certainly as many as shall be faithfull to him in the work whereunto he calls them shall receive a sufficiency of help to carry them through it Sixthly When they use appointed means dil gently doing neither more nor lesse nor any other thing than what God requireth of them When the Lord of old had a urpose to help and save his People in an eminent way he was wont to set them about doing something and sometimes that which was very unlikely as to outward appearance to further his intended work yet when they were diligent in it they were wonderfully helped as might be shewn at large so when Christ is in the way of the help and salvation of his people he requireth something that might seem a weak foolish thing for them to do which may seem in their eyes to be rather to their hurt than help yet they ought to be found using of it and therein may expect Assistance from him When there was want of wine at the Marriage in Cana of Galilee the Mother of Jesus said unto the servants Whatsoever he saith unto you do it which then they did they were helped by him John 2. When the Disciples despairing of success having toiled all the night and taken nothing had given over fishing for that time and were washing their Nets he said to Simon Lanch out into the deep and let down your Nets for a draught at his word they did so and when they had this done they inclosed a great multitude of fishes Luke 5.4 5. Seventhly When enemies speak proudly act highly and seem to bear down all before them being most secure and confident in their wayes then Christ is not far from the help of his People The Lord hath said by the mouth of his Prophet Isa 59.19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a Standard against him It was so of old when Pharaoh was most proud and confident and said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw the sword my hand shall destroy them then the Lord appeared for the help of his People against Pharaoh and all his Host Exod. 15.8 as he did in Jehoshaphats time when multitudes came against them 2 Chron 20. as also in Nehemiah's dayes when the Adversaries said They shall not know neither see till we come in the midst among them and slay them and cause the work to cease Neh 4.11 12 15. And as it was heretofore so it shall be hereafter For when Babylon saith in her heart I sit a Queen and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Then shall Christ the King of Sion throw her down with violence like a great Milstone into the Sea never to rise again destroying her in a day Rev 18.7 8.21 and so free his Servants from all their oppressions when men and Devils are raging Christ will be helping Thus I have answered the Question by these seaven Particulars which I desire may be considered joyntly for when these things concurre when both the case and carriage of Gods People as also of their Enemies is or shall be as hath been mentioned help is at hand they may then look up and Lift up their heads for their Redemption draweth nigh as Luke 21.28 Quest. What VSE should we make of this Answ I. It is for Our INSTRVCTION in Four Things First It shews the Original and first cause of Gods Servants help namely the LORD For as their affliction so their help cometh not forth out of the dust but from above from the most High God And as it is the choice priviledge of Gods People to find help in time of need so it is their duty and great advantage to know and consider from whence it cometh And this Doctrine is an help to them therein this did David Psal 121.1 2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth whosoever be the Instruments whatsoever be the means help is from God alone all Saviours and Salvations are from him To this agreeth part of the Levites confession of Gods goodnesse to Israel Nehem 9.27 According to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours who saved them out of the hand of their Enemies Secondly It shews a sufficient ground and reason of the faith and hope that is in the Saints for help from Christ in time of need He is mighty to help but that is not all it is the will and ordination of God that he should help He was both anointed and appointed thereunto Isa 42.1 6 7. 61.1 2 3. Not onely anointed and enabled but appointed also
and salvation is to walk contrary to their profession and that is a great evil also Vse III. From hence flow forth several streames of COMFORT to the people of the Lord in their various conditions and employments in this World It holds forth comfort to them First Against mightiest Adversaries They that hate the faithfull without a Cause are many they that would destroy them being their enemies wrongfully are mighty their persecutors are stronger than they Psal 142.6 But here is the Comfort of the Righteous they are not left alone to encounter with these Giants Christ the Captaine of salvation stands at their right hand to help them Psal 109.31 If the Devil stirre up Mighty Ones to hate and persecute Gods servants God answerable thereunto hath appointed a Mighty One yea a Mightier than they to be an help to his people When the Devil himselfe like a Roaring Lyon shall in any speciall manner seek to devoure them 1 Pet 1.8 Christ the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah is at hand to help and deliver them Zac 3.1 2. Rev 5.5 It is the high priviledge of the Church of the living God that Christ the appointed helper thereof is mightier to save than the Devil and all enemies are to destroy Isa 63.1 Yea the very weakness of their Mighty helper and Saviour is stronger than their Adversaries 1 Cor 1.25 27. They may boldly say the Lord is our Helper we will not feare what man shall do unto us Heb 13.6 With this Luther comforted and encouraged himselfe against many and Mighty Adversaries saying Ego habeo qui causam defendat etiamsi totus mundus in me solum insaniat I have one that can defend my Cause although the Whole World should be in a rage against me alone Secondly Comfort against greatest difficulties When the people of God consider what great and hard things even impossible to flesh and blood the Lord hath required at their hands as to Deny themselves to forsake all for Christs sake to confesse him before men and so to walk even as he walked in this world And also compare their great work with their own little strength they are sometimes much discouraged and ready to faint in their work and to say almost despairing Who is sâ—fficient for these things Indeed the strongest are not sufficient of themselves as of themselves to performe the least part of the Lords will as they ought yet the least and weakest of the Saints through Christ that Mighty One helping are well able to overcome all difficulties According to this the Apostle Paul speaks Phil 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Surely it must needs be matter of great joy and comfort to Gods fearing and trembling servants because of difficulties to heare of and experience such an alsufficiency of help as is in Christ for them Thirdly Comfort against deepest troubles Sometimes God shews his people hard things and make them to drinke the wine of Astonishment Psal 60.3 They are sometimes troubled on every side innumerable evils compassing them about Psal 40.12 so that they know not what to do nor how to escape But the Father of mercies will not leave his children to perish in the deep waters of Affliction but hath provided help for them in that estate a Saviour in time of trouble Jacob must have a time of trouble but he shall be saved out of it Jer 30.7 This was Davids faith in his low estate Psal 71.20 21. Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken me againe and shalt bring me up againe from the depths of the Earth thou shalt increase my greatness and comfort me on every side And let all the faithfull servants of the Lord who are this day in the deep even overwhelmed with troubles lift up their heads and rejoyce in this grace of God in laying help upon one that is Mighty to redeeme Israel out of all his Troubles Psal 130.8 Fourthly Comfort against weakest Instruments of help He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Isa 40. at the end If the Instruments he intend to use in his work be dull he can sharpen them He can make the Worm Jacob a new sharp threshing Instrument having teeth to thresh the Mountaines and beat them small Isa 41.14 15. And if the iron be blunt and he do whet the edge he hath so much strength to put to as he can make it do execution to cut asunder what he will have cut asunder It is nothing with him to help whether with many or with few or with them that have no power 2 Chron 14.11 Therefore let the servants of Christ be comforted and encouraged in the Mightiness of their Lord to help though they see nothing but foolish weak base and despised things in his hand to make use of for their deliverance It s the manner of Christ and he gets honour thereby to help by such things he hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised yea things which are not to bring to nought things that are 1 Cor 1.27 The Mightiness of the Agent is an encouragement against the weakness of the meanes Object But many put away from themselves this breast of consolation and object against this Doctrine First Some saying they are not worthy that Châ—ist should help them And though God hath appointed him to be an help to his people yet he will not arise to the help of such obstinate and rebellious ones as they have been and are Answ Christ is a free undeserved help and none of those whose help he hath been were ever worthy of it But he hath remembred his people in their low estate and redeemed them from many enemies and evils not because of their merits but because his mercy endureth for ever The children of Israel were a rebellious and stiffnecked people and yet the Lord saved and delivered them many a time And the Lords hand is not shortned that it cannot save nor his goodness abated that he should not still help his people notwithstanding their unworthiness Secondly Some say that they are of froward discontented and peevish spirits under troubles and Afflictions and Christ will not help such Answ Such a frame and carriage of any of the servants of Christ must needs be a griefe and trouble to his soule but yet their hope of help from him in time of need is not hereby cut off The children of Israel were a froward murmuring generation and yet the most high God was their help from time to time The tender-hearted mother is as ready to succour and help her froward discontented child that cryes night and day as the rest of her children And surely Christs succour and help extends as farre as any mothers on earth Thirdly Some say That Christ hath
to spoil his goods Luke 11.21 22. therefore COMMIT ALL TO HIM I. Commit your SOULS to him They are your most precious Treasure therefore it doth greatly concern you to look well to them especially in perilous times that they may be safe commit therefore the keeping of your souls to this Mighty One 1 Pet. 4.19 who alone is able to keep you from falling by the hand of any temptation persecution corruption or whatsoever may annoy or indanger you in the way to his Heavenly Kingdome he is the Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls who can preserve feed and nourish them unto eternal life 1 Pet. 2.25 Luther was wont to say Let him that dyed for my soul see to the salvation of it II. Commit your BODIES to him for he is mighty to help and save them also he is ABLE TO HELP AND SAVE THEM First In case of service When the Lord Christ calls his People to his work they oft neglect it with this pretence their bodies are so weak that they cannot do what is required this is sometimes the Ministers Plea for his negligence he is so weak that he cannot Preach much nor oft the Peoples Plea for not hearing we cannot go so far or we cannot sit so long we cannoâ— visit the sick at a distance our bodyes wilâ— not away with journeying This hath been many a Believers Plea for not being baptized their bodies cannot bear it surely say they God doth not call us thus to afflict and endanger our bodyes he will havâ— mercy and not sacrifice But let such know that the Lord Jesus Christ who hath boughâ— the Body as well as the Spirit doth requirâ— to be glorified in with and by the bodyes oâ— his People and seeing he is mighty to help in this respect namely to fit and strengthen the weak bodyes of his Servants in his work as they have oft found by experience it should greatly encourage and engage them to givâ— them up to watching fasting labouring sacrifice or whatever service the Lord shall call them to do Rom 12.1 Secondly In case of sickness and diseases This the Lord commandeth by his Servant James and encourageth to by a gracious promise of help in that respect James 5.14 15. Is any sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with oyl the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up And this was the Primitive Practice both Saints and People committed their bodyes to him and were holpen he healed them all yea many were healed and many signs and wonders were done by the Name of Gods holy Child Jesus in the Apostles dayes Acts 4.30 Acts 8.5 7. 3.6 and therefore let us commit our bodies to this Mighty One let us make him our Physitian he is able to help and heal Thirdly In case of sufferings When you be called to suffer in your bodies whether stripes buffetings imprisonments hunger thirst cold nakednesse or death for the sake of Christ be not fearful nor careful but commit your bodyes and every part thereof to him who is mighty to help in this respect also both to prepare fit and strengthen the body for the enduring these and the like afflictions and also to keep it that it shall not be lost nor perish in any of its sufferings no not a hair or bone thereof Phil 3.21 Luke 21.18 Psal 34.20 but though it dye it shall live again he will raise it in power and glory 1 Cor. 15.43 and therefore men are said only to kill the body not utterly to destroy it Mat. 10.28 III. Commit your Estates to him He is able and he will either keep your estates for you as some of his Servants who have been willing to part with them have experienced whilest others distrusting and not committing them into his hands but seeking to save them have lost them or if you part with them for his sake he will help you to live of a little yea to live more comfortably of a little than you did of a great deal he will make your little that you have in a way of righteousness better than great Revenues without right Pro 16.8 And this Gods People have often experienced and found that saying of Christ verified Luke 12.15 viz That a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth and at last he will restore them with encrease no less than an hundred fold according to those incouraging words of his to his self-denying Disciples Math. 19.29 Mark 10.29 30. Neither shall they onely have more but better things than they lose for Brass they shall have Gold and for Iron they shall have Silver and for Wood Brasse and for Stones Iron for carnall things they shall have spiritual and for temporal things they shall have eternal 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. Thus will Christ blesse the latter end of his faithfull followers more than their beginning IV. Commit your NAMES to him he is mighty to help his Servants in that respect also And either he will keep up your Names and Reputations among men that your very enemies shall be forced to speak well of you and to acknowledge that you are more righteous than they Or if your Names be covered and buried under reproach and disgrace yet he will raise them up again He will bring forth your righteousnesse as the light and your Judgement as the noon-day Psal 37.2 Yea the time is a coming when he will take away the reproach and rebuke of his people from off all the earth and make them a name and a praise among all people Isa 25.8 Zeph 3.20 V. Commit his CAUSE to him His Cause is the best cause in all the world it is no other thing than truth and righteousnesse it self and it becometh his Servants to do what they can to help it forward but yet not to be so solicitous and careful for it as if the promoting of it depended onely upon them but when they have done what they can to leave it to him who is able to plead and maintain his own Cause against all the enemies thereof What though Truth and Righteousnesse be fallen in the streets and seem to lye dead and buried and almost forgotten by many yea what though instead of Truth there be Errour instead of holinesse there be prophanesse instead of judgement there be oppression and instead of righteousnesse a cry yet he is able to raise up his own Cause and will do it For he shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgement yea till he have established Truth and Righteousnesse in the Earth Isa 42.4 Therefore let none of the followers of Christ be discouraged if at any time the Cause of their Lord do not prosper in their hands according to the desires of their hearts but commit it to him to mannage who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working Isa
death Rom 7.19 23 24. Commit this condition to Christ also who is able to subdue your corruptions and to set your souls above your lusts and to make you as he did Paul victorious over all evil so that you shall say with him in the like condition We thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom 7.25 1 Cor 15.57 USE Put your selves into Christs service There are TWO THINGS usually discourage souls from Christs worke the Mightinesse of Christ to help doth encourage against both First DIFFICVLTY Christs service is apprehended to be hard and difficult and the soul that is sometimes somewhat inclined to it doth ordinarily put it off with these or the like arguings I cannot perform it if I should undertake it if I should profess Christ I shall not hold fast my profession but dishonour him by apostacy if I should name his Name and not depart from iniquity I had better make no mention of him I know I shall never be able to pray as others do nor so to learn nor understand the Mysteries of the Kingdome nor to deny my self and forsake all for Christ and therefore I had as good abide aâ— I am and not mind things that are TOO high and HARD for me You know what Answer Christ made to his Disciples in the like case Math. 19.26 With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible And though of your selves as of your selves you are not sufficient for the least of those things 2 Cor. 3.6 yet through the help of Christ you may perform them all he can make the dullest to understand and the weakest mighty to do his will and it is his work to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees and to make them that are of a fearfull heart bold and strong yea he performeth all things for his Servants And thus through Christ strengthning of them they experience his burthen to be light and his yoke easie Mat. 11.29 Therefore let not the thoughts nor fears of difficulty hold any off from Christs service seeing he is so able to help Secondly The other Discouragement DANGER He that engageth in Christs work heartily and throughly exposeth himself to danger as some men count danger his Name Liberty Estate and Life it self is in danger of being lost and the consideration of these things keeps off many from professing and serving Christ according to his pure and glorious Gospel But to Answer But what though dangers be many and great it is enough to encourage to his work that Jesus Christ is a Great One and a Saviour mighty to help and deliver in and out of dangers it was dangerous in the eyes of men for Shadrach Meshach and Abednego not to worshâ—p the Golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar the King sat up as the generality of the people did for they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace and yet they were safe there having the Son of God with them who did so keep them that they had no hurt Dan 3. It was dangerous for Daniel contrary to the Kings Decree to pray three times a day his Windows being open in his Chamber towards Jerusalem for he was cast into the Lions den and yet he was safe there God sent his Angel and shut the Lions mouths so that no manner of hurt was found upon him Dan 6.10 It was dangerous also for Esther to go in to the King contrary to Law And yet it made way both for her own and her peoples preservation and safety It was dangerous likewise for the Apostles and primitive Saints to preach and practise contrary to the commands of the Rulers and customes of the people And yet Jesus Christ being with them according to his promise to help and strengthen them in their work they did wonderfully prevaile and prosper as in Acts 4.18 19 20 29. Acts 5.17 18 19 20-28 29-38 40 41 42. Therefore let not feare of danger hinder any from yeelding up themselves to the service of Christ And you that are so carefull to avoyd danger consider that you bring your selves into the greatest danger by declining his work While you seek to save your selves you loose your souls and selves While you study to escape the danger of mans hatred and wrath you fall into danger of the displeasure of the most high God yea into danger of eternal Damnation Math 16.25 26. Mark 8 34-38 VSE of CAVTION Take heed you do not abuse this Doctrine of the help of Christ. First That you be not idle and negligent It was never the purpose of the Father in his Appointment of Christ to help nor yet of Christ in his willingness and readiness thereunto to exempt his people from any duty but to strengthen and encourage them against every difficulty therein Christs help is not to indulge the flesh but to quicken the dull spirits of his servants Yea the Doctrine of the help of Christ is so farre from being a principle of loosness and slothfulness as that it engageth and worketh up the soules of those that do understand it aright unto a faithfull vigorous and cheerfull performance of the will of God And indeed Christs help doth suppose as his peoples weakness so their willingness and diligence The help of another doth imply that he that is holpen is exercised and doing what he can in his businesse And therefore when Christ is helping be you a working lest you provoke him to anger through your slothfulness for the same Lord Jesus Christ who helpeth the weak and willing will condemne the slothfull servant Math 25.26 This is not spoken to deject those that are grieved and would grieve more for their own slothfulness Secondly That you do not lâ—mit Christ It was the Jewes fault of old for which God was so angry with them They limited the holy one of Israel Psal 78. therefore do not limit this Mighty one and his help at all First Not to MEANS that either he must help by this or that means by this or that person or persons or else not at all This is too usuall among men Naaman will prescribe meanes and limit Elisha to them to accomplish the cure of his Leprosie He was wroth and said Behold I thought he will surely come out to me and stand and call upon the Name of the Lord his God and stroke his hand over the place and recover the Leper Are not Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus better than all the Rivers of Israel may I not wash in them and be clean 2 Kings 5.11 12. This was also Moses's fault God bade him speak to the Rock and he neglected that and instead thereof he smote it twice Numb 20.8 11. And surely iâ— is very dishonourable to Christ and unbecoming Saints to limit him to means that can help by what he pleaseth and hath usually holpen and saved his people by weak and foolish things and things